Writing

Lined Paper Tools

Start with the basics. Customize paper to support hand writing. Great for students learning to use pencil grips (remember to check the Low Tech Tools section for pencil grips).

1. StartWrite (Win . Mac). http://www.drawyourworld.com/strtwrt.html . inexpensive program for creating a variety of visually lined papers and writing guides. excellent program
2. Stationery Studio (Win . Mac). http://www.fablevision.com/stationerystudio/product.htm . software for creating a variety of visually lined papers and writing guides. includes an extensive graphics library. highly engaging
3. Free Online Graph Paper . http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/ . free online PDFs of various graph papers. includes an online generator so you can create customized graph paper and print it out
4. Handwriting for Kids . http://www.handwritingforkids.com/handwrite/manuscript/alphabets/index.htm . online collection of printable handwriting guides in a variety of sizes.

Productivity Tools

Now build a collection of inexpensive writing tools and word processors you can use in the classroom and your students can use at home.

1. OpenOffice - www.openoffice.org . free Microsoft Office compatible software for several platforms, including Win and MacX.
2. Docs and Spreadsheets - www.google.com . free online word processing and spreadsheet. online collaboration features are also included
3. Zoho - www.zoho.com . an extensive set of free online productivity tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and database. online collaboration features are also included
4. WordWeb - http://wordweb.info/free/ . a free English thesaurus and dictionary that works with most Win programs
5. Communicate: In Print 2 - http://www.widgit.com/products/inprint/index.htm . a symbol based desk top publishing program, great for creating symbol rich print materials
6. Publishing resources, including free clip art, can be found at http://www.paec.org/fdlrstech/books.htm
7. Thumbstacks - www.thumbstacks.com . free online presentation and remote presentation software
8. Speaking Notepad - www.qwertystudios.com . inexpensive talking word processor for Windows
9. TexEdit - http://www.tex-edit.com/ . inexpensive word processor for Macintosh with text to speech that highlights each word as it is spoken
10. Adobe Reader - www.adobe.com . current version includes extensive commenting tools and a "typewriter"
11. KidWidget Win / KidWidget Mac - http://www.astoundit.com/products/kidwidget/index.html . an inexpensive publishing toolkit; including Write, Draw, Paint, Music, Games, Calculator, and Dictionary. speech output is included.
12. Canvastic - http://www.canvastic.com/Canvastic LLC . a graphics and text publishing tool for grades K-8. It includes an adjustable interface that is designed to add tools and features as the student learns the program.

Word Prediction and Talking Word Processors (Audio Feedback)

Word prediction software "watches" what a student writes and provides a list of predicted words based on typical word usage and rules of grammar. This type of tool can help students who have fine motor involvement, type slowly, and/or need help with spelling. Talking word processors provide audio feedback which increases the scaffolding available to students struggling with writing, as well as reading. Most of these programs include both word prediction and audio feedback.

1. Co:Writer (Win. Mac). http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html . adds quality linguistic word prediction to any software program or word processor a student is using. use with a talking word processor to get full audio feedback
2. Classroom Suite (Win. Mac). http://www.intellitools.com . provides word prediction, speech feedback, and extensive writing support tools
3. WordQ (Win). http://www.wordq.com/ . provides word prediction and text to speech to any writing software program. the company also has a plug-in called SpeakQ for voice to text
4. Premiere Assistive Technology (Win). http://www.readingmadeez.com/home.php . includes several products with word prediction, as well as talking word processors. you can apply for a grant to get the initial software for your classroom
5. Read and Write Gold (Win . Mac). http://www.texthelp.com/page.asp . provides several writing tools, including word prediction and text to speech, to any word processor or writing program. there is a mobile version that comes on a USB drive so you can use it with any computer without having to install it
6. Speaking Notepad - www.qwertystudios.com . inexpensive talking word processor for Windows

Graphic Enhanced Writing

Several software tools provide extensive graphics correlated with words as they are typed, providing an extra layer of visual scaffolding.

1. Clicker 5 . http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/clicker/ . write with words, phrases, or pictures. correlates pictures to words and includes text to speech
2. Classroom Suite . http://www.intellitools.com . write with words, phrases, or pictures. includes text to speech
3. PixWriter . http://www.slatersoftware.com/pixwriter.html . write with words, phrases, or pictures. correlates pictures to words and includes text to speech
4. Communicate: In Print 2 - http://www.widgit.com/products/inprint/index.htm . a symbol based desk top publishing program, great for creating symbol rich print materials

Organize Writing with Graphic Organizers

Use graphic organizers to organize writing activities. Tools include:

1. Graphic Organizers - http://www.teachervision.fen.com/graphic-organizers/printable/6293.html?s2 . free online source of printable graphic organizers in a wide variety of cognitive supports
2. bubbl.us - http://www.bubbl.us/ . free online mapping software. very basic, simple, and works
3. Mindomo - http://www.mindomo.com/index.php . free online mind mapping software. supports additional graphics and shapes
4. cMap - http://cmap.ihmc.us . free concept mapping software for Mac and Windows
5. FreeMind (Win . Mac) - http://freemind.sourceforge.net . free mind mapping software. requires Java runtime
6. Inspiration (Win . Mac) & Kidspiration (Win . Mac) - http://www.inspiration.com . commercial concept mapping with extensive image libraries and writing support tools
7. Rationale & Reason!Able - http://www.austhink.com . guided reasoning and argument thinking diagramming software (one minute overview) for Windows. requires .net2 which may be on current XP machines
8. Draft:Builder (SOLO) . http://www.donjohnston.com/products/draft_builder/index.html . build planning, organizing, and draft writing skills and abilities. includes text to speech

Technology for Publishing

1. Word Processing - WORD - Tutorials & Ideas . how to use Microsoft WORD
2. Page Layout - InDesign, Publisher . how to use page layout software
3. Electronic Files - Adobe Acrobat . publish electronically using Adobe Acrobat
4. Stapleless Books from ReadWriteThink . create stapleless books using this online tool
5. Pocket Mod . more ideas for stapleless books
6. Free Clip Art . give your students clip art to help them publish
7. Free DK Clip Art . more free clip art
8. Imagine Symbols . free symbols that can be used to make graphically enhanced text
9. ClickBook . utility that paginates writing done in just about any software program so it can be printed as a book or booklet
10. FinePrint . another pagination program
11. Kathy Schrock's Online Tools . lots of online tools, including writing tools like "Instant Poetry Form"